Hyderabad: Seven people, including women and children, were killed and one person was injured after a speeding trailer truck rammed into a group of people in Jharkhand's Khunti district, police said.
According to eyewitnesses, a scooter rider lost control of his vehicle near the colony and veered into roadside bushes. Hearing the commotion, local residents rushed to help him.
A speeding trailer truck approaching from the Torpa side then rammed into the group. The impact killed six people on the spot, while another victim died during treatment.
The accident claimed three members of Birsa Nayak's family - his wife, Kasila Devi, daughter Anjali and one-year-old grandchild Saurabh. His other daughter, Khushboo, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Khunti Sadar Hospital, resident Birsa Nayak said.
In another family, Rajesh lost his wife, Fagan Sanga, mother, Karmi Lohrain, and two daughters, Subhani Kumari and Soni Kumari. Rajesh had left for Gujarat just three days earlier to work as a labourer and was informed about the accident later.
Khunti Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg said the truck ran over the people while taking a sharp turn. The driver may not have noticed the crowd because of darkness, he said.
"Seven people died and one sustained injury. Six victims died on the spot, while one succumbed during treatment," Garg said.
The truck driver and cleaner abandoned the vehicle and fled after the accident. Police reached the spot after receiving information, took possession of the bodies and began efforts to trace the driver and his assistant.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
"The heartbreaking news of seven people losing their lives in a road accident in Karra, Khunti, has deeply saddened me. My deepest condolences go out to all the grieving families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. May Marang Buru grant peace to the souls of the departed and give their grieving families the strength to bear this sorrow," Soren said in a post on X.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured person, who is undergoing treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
"Deeply pained by the loss of lives in a mishap in Khunti, Jharkhand. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," Modi said.